§ 42. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the total value of loans for which local authorities have applied for sanction for private street works since 1st January, 1956; and for what proportion he has given sanction.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. J. Enoch Powell)Extraction of these figures would involve much work, which my right hon. Friend would not normally feel justified in authorising. In this case, however, I am having the figures got out and will send them to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SwinglerWhile thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that most local authorities plan these works very carefully in relation to their general roads programme and there is no extravagance at all; and that any postponement of such works is a deplorably tragic decision for the people who live in areas with unmade roads?
§ Mr. PowellThe House will be aware that since 17th February this year it has been the policy, for the time being, to reduce to an absolute minimum capital expenditure by local authorities.